Meet our 2018 SSO Fellows

​Thirteen of our country's brightest young musicians tell why they're so excited to be part of the 2018 Sydney Symphony Orchestra Fellowship program.

In this year-long 'orchestral apprenticeship' they'll be put through their paces, performing alongside some of their SSO heroes at the Sydney Opera House and honing their chamber music techniques in their own concert series.

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Rachel Howie, Flute

Fun Fact: In year 8 I was a finalist in Ozspell, a televised national spelling bee.

Having the right teacher is fundamental when learning music. Associate Principal Flute Emma Sholl, who taught me at the Sydney Conservatorium, is extremely inspiring and helped me find creative ways to improve my playing. I feel really fortunate and excited to now have the opportunity to perform on-stage with Emma in the SSO.

Image Keith Saunders

Eve Osborn, Oboe

Fun Fact: I have three dogs!

I started playing the oboe when I was 11 years old, despite not knowing what it was. I soon realised how beautiful it could sound, and became instantly hooked. When I found out I had won a position in the Fellowship, it took a good minute to sink in but then I started dancing around the room! I’m so excited to play in the Sydney Symphony as it’s an orchestra I've loved to watch for so long.

Image Keith Saunders

Magdalenna Krstevska, Clarinet

Fun Fact: I can speak Bulgarian, Macedonian and French fluently.

My mother is Bulgarian and my father is Macedonian. When I was a child my mum played piano and led a Bulgarian folk music women’s choir, so I have always been around music. Clarinet is featured in so many different genres – from classical to jazz and folk music – which is one of the reasons I was drawn to it. When I found out I was accepted in to the Fellowship I was both excited and terrified at the incredible opportunity of getting to play alongside the best professionals in the field, while also thinking about what a huge responsibility it will be! There’s a huge gap between playing in a youth orchestra and sitting in a professional orchestra so I’m really looking forward to the challenges that will bring.

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Alison Wormell, Bassoon

Fun Fact: I’ve been a tap-dancer since I was four.

I vividly remember being excited about the bassoon when I first heard about it as an eight-year-old, because it seemed really individual and quirky. The sound is really warm and has this wonderful fruity low register! Being a Sydneysider, I have watched the SSO for so many years and am always interested to see which bassoons are playing. I have always looked up to Emeritus Principal Bassoon Matthew Wilkie and am excited for the chance to perform with him on stage! I’m looking forward to rising to this challenge and becoming a much better player because of it.

Image Keith Saunders

Aidan Gabriels, ​Horn

Fun Fact: I like to take extravagant pictures of me and my dog.

I’m excited to be a Fellow because I’ll get to play alongside the SSO horn section, including Principal Horn Ben Jacks, who has been a mentor for me. I’ve been around music all my life so I don’t even remember learning my first instrument, the violin, when I was five years old. My Dad has a hobby quartet and all my siblings played music. I’d been playing the violin for what I thought was a very long time – I was actually 15 years old! – when I fell in love with the horn and suddenly the violin became a bit of a drag. The horn is such a great instrument because of its beautiful sound quality.

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Jenna Smith, Trumpet

Fun Fact: I am excellent at Star Realms, a card deck building game.

I’ve always loved working with musicians because they have a similar mind to me. There’s nothing like playing in an orchestra with interesting people. What I loved most about being a Fellow last year was playing chamber music with my colleagues because everyone brings their own unique talents to the table. The Fellowship is such a good transition from studying to getting your foot in to the professional orchestral world. The SSO is such an amazing orchestra and if I could, I’d be a Fellow forever!

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Amanda Tillet, Trombone

Fun Fact: When I’m not making music I like to read, run and play PlayStation.

Performing in the middle of the trombone section with the SSO at the Sydney Opera House was such an incredible experience in my first year as a Fellow (this is my second). Fellowship Artistic Director Roger Benedict helped me to become aware of certain chamber music aspects such as how different bow strokes affect the way I should approach my own part. This year I’m really looking forward to performing Stravinsky’s Pulcinella; it’s such an involved part and while I’ve played it before, I’m already spending time refamiliarising myself with it again.

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Sami Butler, Percussion

Fun Fact: During the summer, I’m hooked to the TV watching cricket.

It was a big change for me to move to Sydney last year to be part of the SSO Fellowship (this is my second year). Up until that point I had lived my entire life in Adelaide. Instantly the SSO felt like home and the program has been a lot of fun. Tutti Percussionist Mark Robinson gave me quite a few lessons and tips leading up to auditions. Percussionist Timothy Constable became a really good friend in the end and we talked a lot about playing. Principal Percussionist Becky was always super helpful as well. You can’t really get this sort of mentorship as part of a university music degree. The Fellowship is actually about being in the orchestra, so you do get a taste of life as a professional musician in a way that you can’t get from studying.

Image Keith Saunders

Tobias Aan, Violin

Fun Fact: I like to play cards.

When I was in high school my mum bought me tickets to my first SSO concert as a birthday present. I saw esteemed violinist Pinchas Zukerman perform the Bruch Violin Concerto No.1 and I was wowed! It was very inspiring for me to see orchestral playing at that level and it put the thought in my head that I’d like to play with these guys one day. The Fellowship is such a diverse program. Not only do we get to perform with the best symphony orchestra in Australia, but we also get to have lessons with members of the orchestra and have access to chamber music opportunities with the other Fellows. I think it will make me a well-rounded musician.

Image Keith Saunders

Rollin Zhao, Violin

Fun Fact: I carry the sheet music from the Danish String Quartet’s Woodworks folk album with me all the time, hoping to find people to jam with.

I received my first violin when I was two years old and it was 1/16 of the size of a regular instrument. Playing has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. There’s no better feeling than performing in an orchestra, being part of an organism that’s much larger than yourself. You get to experience the music from the inside. I’m so grateful to be in the Fellowship because I’ll get to intensify my orchestral experience with some of the most amazing musicians.

Image Keith Saunders

Justin Julian, Viola

Fun Fact: I'm also into drawing and collecting gemstones and vintage watches.

Usually my start of the day ritual is about two hours of relaxed technical exercises, scales and arpeggios before easing in to some repertoire practice as well. I make sure to play every day – I feel as though my viola is an extension of my body and this helps me continue to feel connected to it! There are quite a few parallels between sport and music because both of these physical skills require consistent daily work. Being in the Fellowship Program will benefit my training in a big way and help me work towards my dream of having a full-time orchestral job. The length and intensity of this program makes it really unique.

Image Keith Saunders

Daniel Pini, Cello

Fun Fact: I used to be a competitive ice skater.

Watching my parents make music together – my mother on viola and father on violin – was an absolute inspiration as I was growing up. I come from a very musical family and started playing the cello when I was three! My dream is to have a career in chamber music and orchestral playing. You don’t really appreciate orchestral playing until you find an orchestra like the SSO that excels and just loves what they’re doing. I can’t wait to learn from the amazing SSO musicians.

Image Keith Saunders

Alanna Jones, Double Bass

Fun Fact: I was a competitive and recreational gymnastics coach for 15 years.

I’ve had a very interesting musical journey so far, which began with the piano. I took up the harp when I was a teenager and also started teaching myself double bass when my high school orchestra conductor needed a bass player. I decided to pursue double bass as a career after playing Tchaikovsky's 5th Symphony at the Auckland Philharmonia Summer School in 2008.

Being part of the Fellowship last year (this is my second year) gave me more confidence as a chamber player and in my own sound. Playing chamber music is so central to being an orchestral musician and double bassists don't often get the chance to play a lot of it. I learned a lot about working with others, when I should play more or less, and how to make musical decisions that best serve the music, rather than my own needs.